Madhya Pradesh Police Corruption Exposed: Officers Arrested in Rs 3 Crore Hawala Money Scandal

A covert midnight operation to intercept hawala money in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni has escalated into a major police corruption scandal. The incident attracted widespread attention after reporters arrived at the scene and the story gained momentum.

Five police personnel, including a high-ranking female officer, were arrested following Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's firm stance that "those who break the law will not be spared, not even those meant to protect it."

The controversy began between October 8 and 9, when Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) Pooja Pandey, Town Inspector (TI) Arpit Bhairam, and their team stopped a Creta car near Siladehi village in Seoni. Acting on intelligence, they discovered Rs 3 crore in hawala money being transported from Katni to Jalna, Maharashtra. The cash was hidden in concealed compartments under the driver's seat.

Rather than following proper protocol, the officers allegedly transferred the money to their own vehicles, released the car occupants, and returned to the station without notifying senior officials. By morning, the official report mysteriously documented only Rs 1.45 crore—less than half the original amount.

The situation quickly deteriorated when hawala operator Sohan Parmar arrived at the police station around 11:30 am the following day, claiming officers had "robbed" him of Rs 3 crore. Sources indicate SDOP Pandey invited Parmar to her office for a private discussion that evolved into intense negotiations. They purportedly reached a "50-50 deal" where officers would retain Rs 1.5 crore and return the remainder.

When Parmar later discovered Rs 25.6 lakh missing from his portion, the arrangement collapsed. Enraged, he confronted the officers again, causing the scandal to unravel publicly.

As word spread and media personnel gathered, Jabalpur DIG Rakesh Singh and IG Pramod Verma were informed. Immediate suspensions followed—initially nine officers, with SDOP Pooja Pandey suspended the next day. Investigations revealed that Pandey's phone location matched the forest area where the money was intercepted, and some missing funds were allegedly concealed in her office cupboard.

Under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's direct instructions, criminal proceedings have been initiated. An FIR against 11 accused officers has been registered at Lakhanwada Police Station under Section 395 (Dacoity), Section 364 (Kidnapping), and Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Currently, five officers—SDOP Pooja Pandey, SI Arpit Bhairam, and Constables Yogendra, Neeraj, and Jagdeesh—remain in custody. Chief Minister Yadav stated firmly, "When the protectors of law become its destroyers, such betrayal will not be tolerated."

As the investigation continues, the Seoni hawala heist serves as a powerful reminder of how greed and abuse of authority can corrupt the very institutions entrusted with upholding justice, and how in this instance, the law has turned its scrutiny inward.